New exhibition at Nickle Galleries explores boundaries in art

Everywhere We Are is an ambitious exhibition and public program series addressing many of the challenges, advantages and impact of art collecting. Drawing upon one of Canada’s most significant contemporary art collections, the exhibition is organized and presented as a collaboration and a two-part project co-organized by Nickle Galleries (winter 2020) and Contemporary Calgary (fall 2020).

Everywhere We Are explores boundaries in art. If a boundary can be thought of as a line that separates, who then sets the boundary? Are there rules? How are they negotiated? Applied? When referring to personal relationships, boundaries are further complicated; but what are the implications for art, when artwork itself is viewed as the boundary?

• Photo above: DaveandJenn, Swimming Lessons, 2013, Acrylic, oil, resin. Diptych. In the exhibition Everywhere We Are. Photo by Dave Brown, Libraries and Cultural Resources

This consideration of boundaries led to a fundamental questioning about collecting with respect to issues of ownership and art markets to sacredness and physiological affect. Through exhibitions, lectures, workshops, panels and more, Everywhere We Are poses a range of questions including how and where art is shown and distributed; how neuroscience is changing our understanding of art; and how collecting is part of a complex ecosystem of relationships with curators, public collections, artists, commercial galleries and other collectors.

Everywhere We Are, ultimately, is intended to express that boundaries are often mutable, flexible and even artificial, and that art is owned by the person who sees it. In the end, the act of viewing, however fleeting, creates ownership that is valid, unique and rich in personal meaning.

“Some of the strongest Canadian artists of recent decades are represented here,” says Christine Sowiak, chief curator at Nickle Galleries, “with more to come in the fall exhibition at Contemporary Calgary.”

The exhibition features significant works by Gathie Falk, Geoffrey Farmer, Wyn Geleynse, Luanne Martineau, Chris Millar, Otto Rogers, Ryan Sluggett, Ron Terada, among many more who have helped shape contemporary art in Canada over the past five decades.

“It is the intention of the private collector that fascinates me and gives life to this project,” continues Sowiak. “Ken Bradley is an alumnus of the University of Calgary, a passionate advocate for Canadian art and for university galleries and museums. By bringing the Everywhere We Are project to Nickle Galleries he hopes to gain recognition not only for the role of visual art in all our lives, but also to the contributions Nickle Galleries makes on campus and in the community.”

The Nickle's exhibition is curated by Michele Hardy and Christine Sowiak. A program of special events running from February to November 2020 is in development, and is being co-organized with Contemporary Calgary. Program details will be announced on the Nickle's website shortly.

The weekly Nickle at Noon event series continues to feature related talks and gallery tours. All events are free and open to the public. Learn more by subscribing to updates from Nickle Galleries.

Nickle at Noon - Catherine Burgess: Artist Talk
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Noon to 1 p.m.
Nickle Galleries, Taylor Family Digital Library

Everywhere We Are – Part I – Nickle Galleries, Jan. 30 to May 29, 2020
Everywhere We Are – Part II – Contemporary Calgary, Sept. 17 to Nov. 19, 2020